てはいけない
てはいけない
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tehaikenaiCan, Should, Must
Yuzuo Chan
|
11.06.2025
Meaning
Must not do A; doing A is not allowed (a prohibition based on rules, manners or the speaker's authority).
Conjugation
(A)Vて+は+いけない/いけません
Examples
Show translation
ここでたばこを吸ってはいけません。
病院で大きい声で話してはいけません。
赤信号で道を渡ってはいけません。
明日は宿題を忘れてはいけませんよ。
夜遅くまでゲームをしてはいけないと、母に言われました。
二度と私にうそをついてはいけない。
grammarDetailPage.commonMistakes.title
grammarDetailPage.commonMistakes.wrong: 食べないではいけません。
grammarDetailPage.commonMistakes.correct: 食べてはいけません。
grammarDetailPage.commonMistakes.why: The pattern attaches to the affirmative て-form. To say "you must not eat," use 食べてはいけません. The negative て-form produces a different meaning: 食べないではいけません means "you must eat" or "you cannot go without eating."
grammarDetailPage.commonMistakes.wrong: 今日は忙しくて、パーティーに行ってはいけません。
grammarDetailPage.commonMistakes.correct: 今日は忙しくて、パーティーに行けません。
grammarDetailPage.commonMistakes.why: てはいけない expresses prohibition, not inability. Use the potential form (行けない) to say you cannot do something.
grammarDetailPage.commonMistakes.wrong: 先生、ここに座ってはいけません。(said to a teacher)
grammarDetailPage.commonMistakes.correct: 先生、ここに座らないでください。
grammarDetailPage.commonMistakes.why: てはいけない sounds like a strong order from someone of higher status. Use a softer request when speaking to a superior.
Key points
Use it for rules, signs, and when a parent, teacher or boss forbids something. It is stronger than ないでください, and いけません is the polite form. Casually it becomes ちゃ/じゃいけない (e.g. 食べちゃいけない). Do not use it to scold or order someone of higher status.
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